Float-controlled circuit-closer.



UNITED STATES PATENT armor.

SAMUEL E. LEMIN'G AND CHRISTIAN C. ELLENBERGER, OF ISLAND HEIGHTS, NEVTJERSEY.

FLOAT-CONTROLLED CIRCUIT-CLOSER.

Application filed April 7, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SAMUEL E. LEMING, and CHRISTIAN C. ELLENBERGER,citizens of the United States, residing at Island Heights, in the countyof Ocean and State of New Jersey, have'invented new and usefulImprovements in Float-Controlled Circuit-Closers, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention aims to provide an electric signal primarily intended foruse in connection with gasolene tanks for automobiles and operable whenthe gasolene reaches a predetermined low level, thus warning theoperator that the tank needs recharging.

To this end the invention provides a float controlled circuit closerembodying among other features a pivotally mounted arm controlled in itsmovements by means of a float, and carrying a contact for engagementwith fixed contacts to close the circuit and sound the alarm upon apredetermined position of the float.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a floatcontrolled circuit closer of the above mentioned character, with meansfor automatically returning the arm from its active to its normalposition while the tank is being recharged.

Another object of importance resides in the provision of a mechanism forthe above mentioned purpose wherein the float is adjustably connectedwith the pivotally mounted arm to accommodate tanks of differentcapacities.

A further object of the invention consists in the provision of means forpreventing oscillating movement of the float in the tank under anycircumstances.

The nature and advantages of the invention will be better understoodwhen the following description is read in connection with theaccompanying drawing, the invention residing in the construction,combination and arrangement of parts as claimed.

In the drawing forming part of this specification like numerals ofreference indicate similar parts in the several views and wherein Figure1 is a diagrammatic view showing the circuit connections and floatconnections.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2- 2 of Fig. 1;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 2 1, 1917.

Serial No. 89,688.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

41 is a detail view of the arm.

Flg. 5 is a similar view of the bridging plate.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of an auxiliary base plate.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view through the same.

Before entering into a detail description of what is herein shown wedesire to have it understood that the same is merely illustrative of oneembodiment of the invention to which we do not limit ourselves, and thatsuch construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to whendesired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

Referring more particularly to the drawins in detail 10 indicates a baseplate preferably of insulating material, which is adapted to be securedto the gasolene tank 11, or upon the machine in close proximity to thetank. Projecting from the base 10 is a post 12 constituting a pivot forthe arm 13, the post being secured in any suitable manner to the base10, but preferably having a reduced threaded extremity 14: passedthrough an opening in the base, and having associated with its free enda nut 15 to hold the parts associated.

Encirclin the post 12 is a coil spring 16 having one of its terminalsconnected to the post in any suitable manner, and its opposite terminalconnected to the arm 13, the spring being very sensitive and tensionedto normally maintain the arm 13 in inactive position. The forward end ofthe arm is provided with a threaded aperture 17 to adjustably receive athreaded eye bolt 18 to one extremity of which is secured a flexibleelement 19 such as a chain or the like. The flexible element passesthrough a suitable o enin in the tank and has secured to its oppositeend a float 21 arranged therein. It might here be stated that the spring16 is sufficiently strong to support the combined weights of the arm 13,eye bolt 18 and flexible element 19, so that only the float 21 isactuated by the rise and fall of the liquid within the tank, the floatin turn rocking the arm 13 on its pivot in one direction to sound thealarm in the manner to be presently describe-fl, when the float isautomati- 'cally lowered to its predetermined position within the tank.By reason of the adjustment between the arm 13 and eye bolt 18, it willbe manifest that the mechanism can be used in conjunction with tanks ofdifferent capacities, for the purpose intended.

Secured to the base 10 in any suitable manner are relatively spacedfixed contacts 22 forming the terminals of a signal circuit, havingsecured thereto the current wires 23 which are suitably connected incircuit with the signal 24, a block of insulating material 25 holdingthe wires in spaced relation. Carried by the arm 13 is a bridging plate26 which may be of any suitable construction, and having an aperturedlug 27 pivoted within a groove in one edge of the arm, so that the platewill automatically assume the proper angular position with respect tothe arm 13 to properly bridge the fixed contacts 22, when the arm 13 ismoved upon its pivot to active position, during which time the alarmwill be sounded to warn the operator of the machine that the tank shouldbe recharged. Connected in circuit is a switch 28 which may be arrangedin convenient reach of the operator, and by means of which the alarm maybe silenced.

With a view of preventing oscillatory movement of the float within thetank, I preferably employ a casing 29 arranged within the tank 11 andadapted to receive the float, the casing having a plurality of slots 30to permit the liquid within the tank to seek its own level within thecasing. The lower edge of the casing rests upon a base plate 31 whichmay be screw threaded, soldered or otherwise secured within an opening32 in the bottom of the tank and having its peripheral edge extendedupwardly to provide a circumferential flange 33. A cap 34 is removablysecured within an opening in the top of the tank, preferably threadedtherein, the cap being provided with a central opening through which theflexible element 19 extends. The cap is formed to provide an annulargroove 35 which receives the adjacent or upper edge of the casing 29 andassists the base plate 31 in holding the casing properly positionedwithin the tank 11. A modification of the base plate is illustrated inFigs. 6 and 7 in which instance the base plate 36 is provided with anannular wall or flange 37 rising from the inner surface of the plate,while depending exteriorly therefrom is a threaded stem '38 havingassociated therewith a nut39. This form ,of base plate is employed onlywhen the signaling device is being associated ,with a tank .of ,ordinaryconstruction, or in other words with a tank already in use, in whichinstance the bottom of the tank is provided with a suitable opening forthe reception of the threaded stem 38, while the nut 39 will serve tohold the base plate 36 properly associated with thebottom of he tank, so

that the lower edge of the casing 29 will rest upon the marginal edge ofthe base exteriorly of the wall 36. If so desired the cap 34 may beprovided witha spout 39 to guide the flexible element 19 in the properdirection, it being understood that the spout can be swung into anydirection by adjusting the cap 34.

It is believed that from the foregoing description the nature andadvantages of the invention will be readily apparent although I desireto have it understood that the component parts of the invention may beconstructed from any suitable material, design and proportions withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

lVhat is claimed is 1. A float controlled circuit closer comprising abase plate, an arm pivoted at one end upon the base plate, a bridgingplate secured to said arm, contacts carried by the plate and disposed inthe path of movement of said bridging plate and forming the terminals ofa signal circuit, a float adapted to rise and fall with a body ofliquid, a flexible connection between said float and the opposite end ofsaid arm whereby the arm will be swung to engage the bridging plate withsaid contacts on the downward movement of said float, and means forautomatically returning said arm to normal position independently of thefloat.

2. A float controlled circuit closer comprising a base plate, an armpivoted at one end upon the base plate, a spring having one terminalconnected to the arm and its opposite terminal connected to the pivotthereof, and operating to normally support the arm in inactive position,a bridging plate secured to said arm, contacts carried by said plate anddisposed in the path of movement of said bridging plate and forming theterminals of a signal circuit, a float adapted to rise and- ,fall withthe body of liquid, a connection between said float and the other end ofsaid arm whereby the arm will be swung to engage the bridging plate withsaid contacts on the downward movement of the float, and said springoperating to automatically return the arm to normal position upon a riseof the float with the body of liquid.

'3. A float controlled circuit closer comprising a base, an arm pivotedat one end upon the base plate, a spring connected with the arm andpivot thereof for holding said arm normally in inactive position, fixedcontacts carried by said plate and forming the terminals of asignalcircuit, a bridging plate freely pivoted upon said arm, a floatadapted to rise and fall with the body of liquid, a connection betweensaid float and the other end of said arm whereby the arm will be swungto engage the bridging plate with said contacts on the downward movementof the float, and said spring operating to automatically return the armto normal position 011 rise of the float with the body of liquid.

a. A float controlled circuit closer, comprising a base plate, an armpivoted at one end upon the base plate, a bridging plate secured to saidarm, contacts carried by said plate and disposed in the path of movementof said bridging plate and forming the terminals of a signal circuit, aflexible element suspended from the opposite end of said arm, andadjustably connected therewith, a float supported by said flexibleelement, and adapted to rise and fall with the body of liquid wherebythe arm will be swung to engage the bridging plate of said contacts onthe downward movement of the float, and means for automaticallyreturning the arm to normal position upon rise of the float with thebody of liquid.

5. A float controlled circuit closer, comprising a base plate, an armpivoted at one end upon the base plate, a spring connected to said armand to the pivot thereof and operating to normally hold the arm ininactive position, a flexible element suspended from the opposite end ofsaid arm and ad justably associated therewith, a bridging plate carriedby said arm, contacts carried by the plate and disposed in the path ofmovement of said bridging plate and forming the terminals of a signalcircuit, a float supported by said flexible element and adapted to riseand fall with the body of liquid, whereby the arm will be swung toengage the bridging plate with said contacts on downward movement of thefloat, and said spring operating to automatically return the arm tonormal position upon rise of the float with the body of liquid.

In testimony whereof we afflx our signatures.

SAMUEL E. LEMING. CHRISTIAN C. ELLENBERGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

